Morning Coffee - April 2022 by Michael E. Wells

AN EASTER STORY

Well, soon the baskets will be back on the shelf and the eggs will be bagged up for another year. Memories will fade of children running and laughing while we sat around the tables after the meal with coffee in hand. Captured moments of conversation will be reflected upon and images forever etched in our minds. But is that all there will be to the day? Many will see it as a day to gather with friends and family for yet another holiday.

What we Christians believe took place on a Sunday this month, almost 2000 years ago, was the greatest event to ever happen on planet earth. Divinity had touched humanity and life as we knew it was forever changed. No greater planned purpose or promised hope could have been fulfilled as that of a resurrected being. No wonder the disciples were in awe and in disbelief at the news. But the appearance of the crucified Christ, the one they had walked with, seen miracles performed by, heard of heaven from, and Who had promised life everlasting, was there in their midst.

So powerful were those encounters and the following infilling of the Holy Spirit that they defied threats of death to proclaim a life-changing relationship with God through a risen Christ with life everlasting. A claim echoed by hundreds of millions today across the planet. So we will celebrate more than a family gathering, more than an egg hunt, or watching children eat chocolate bunnies. It will be to commemorate when God touched His earth and changed our hearts for heaven. A change we receive for a heart given to Him. Indeed, He has risen!

A STEP IN TIME—EASTER

From the moment God stepped into time, He began to walk to the cross. Creator God had become Son of Man. With every day that passed, He drew closer to leaving. It was a moment of mortality for the Master of Eternity. He brought hope to the helpless, forgiveness to the guilty, healing for the sick, and life to the dead. We were touched by His Divinity and God had been touched with our humanity. It was said that He cried at the death of His friend Lazarus.

All the while, the shadow of the cross was cast upon His path. Three short years God ministered upon the earth He created to finally become what Abraham had prophetically said to his son Isaac upon that hill over a thousand years earlier, “God will provide for Himself a sacrifice.” He is the waymaker in the wilderness, the guide through the dark journey, the one who has gone on before us. It was a journey’s end at the foot of the Cross, a promise kept at a tremendous cost.

He lived to give us hope, He died to give us heaven. Jesus said, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:17-18 NIV) He also said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends..” (John 15:13 NIV) What do you give a Savior who calls you His friend? We give our hearts. It is all that is uniquely ours to give, but it is enough, for it is all that He asks.

HE GAVE US HIS WORD

Only Christianity affords one the opportunity for salvation. No other religion provides such assurance. With just a word, one is translated from death to life. We are told the word is near us, even in our heart and mouth. It is the word of faith that if we will confess Jesus as Lord and believe in His resurrection, we will be saved.

Too easy, say some, a fantasy say others, but to we who are being saved, it is the power of God. What we could not do in our inability to get right with God, He did by reaching into our heart and stirring up a faith. One that is capable of belief in a simple message. For God so loved the world that He gave His Son so we would not perish. (John 3:16)

We shall soon celebrate the greatest event in history, the resurrection from the dead of God’s Son. The belief in this one event has changed the lives of hundreds of millions of people for almost 2000 years. Not a set of rules, but a simple faith. One of a good God with a great love and an eternal message. Still, many do not understand our devotion. But we are confident of our belief because He gave us His Word.

Michael E. Wells

Michael E. Wells has a passion for writing letters of Christian encouragement. With poetic style and moving messages, the reader is often comforted and consoled, inspired, and refreshed. Since his retirement from Federal Service in 2006, most mornings are spent penning letters of the heart. Tucked away in the foothills of Pennsylvania, he leads an idyllic lifestyle in a pastoral setting. This backdrop helps to set both mood and message for his many writings. You can find his book, “Morning Coffee with Words For The Day” at Amazon.com.